Who will sit behind Jon Stewart’s news desk to helm the empire he built? That’s what Daily Show viewers have been asking since Comedian Jon Stewart announced Tuesday—as though you haven’t heard—he is stepping down as host after 16 years.

“It is time for someone else to have that opportunity,” he told a surprised audience at yesterday’s taping. And while viewers are curious about what he’ll do next, even before the cushion on his chair had cooled, fans began speculating about who will fill Stewart’s role as cultural commentator and political/media watchdog and critic.

The blogosphere chatter is calling for a woman to take the lead. People are saying Comedy Central should step away from the tradition of male comedians hosting late-night shows in favor of selecting from an abundance of female comedians.